Endling

Chronique

With Endling, Kvelertak cement the validity of the second phase of their career. The Norwegian band's first three albums -- especially 2013's Meir -- were widely hailed for their vigorous amalgam of Scandinavian black metal and thrashy party rock. Fronted by guttural wildman Erland Hjelvik, their "black & roll" approach was more power than dour, injecting some fun into a traditionally gloomy scene. When both Hjelvik and drummer Kjetil Gjermundrød called it quits in 2018, many fans feared the party had come to an end. Their comeback album, 2020's Splid, was something of a revelation. Incoming sticksman Håvard Takle Ohr slotted into the instrumental lineup seamlessly and Kvelertak's new frontman Ivar Nikolaisen proved himself a more-than-worthy successor, bringing a newfound melodicism that bolstered the band's already-hooky riffage. The band's new era continues on Endling, which has less to prove yet feels more confident for it. Recorded in the seaside Norwegian city of Bergen, the sessions were done live in the room, often with no click track, giving the set a bit more character and loose swagger. "Krøterveg Te Helvete" spends its first three minutes coming to a frothy boil, then cycles through a thrilling barrage of melodic choruses, punchy breakdowns, and power metal riffs before segueing into a smoky '70s-vibed outro reminiscent of Blue Öyster Cult. And that's only the first song. Throughout the set, Kvelertak touch on a variety of sonic hallmarks, from cocky thrash-punk ("Motsols") and chunky NWOBHM ("Likvoke") to abrasive folk-metal ("Døgeniktens Kvad"), all played with crackling, anxious abandon. Despite their increasing global popularity, the band still sings entirely in Norwegian, this time digging into obscure regional history and lore to create something even better. Nikolaisen's fairly even clean/scream vocal split dovetails neatly with Kvelertak's triple-guitar battery of Vidar Landa, Bjarte Lund Rolland, and Maciek Ofstad, who have rarely sounded so in sync with each other. While there is much to love about Endling (including its title track), Kvelertak have made an instant classic in "Skoggangr," a black & roll banger that is as infectious as it is rowdy.

© Timothy Monger /TiVo